Pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. -James 5:16 (NRSV)
SEVERAL times I have been invited to share in an unusual form of group prayer. Group members commit to pray daily at particular times for one specific thing. Those who pray can be in one town or spread across the country. What binds us together is the commitment to pray as one voice, at that time. I have prayed
with others about a serious career dilemma, cancer, and various national crises. Every time, I was amazed by the sense of community I felt in prayer and the power for change and healing that came to whatever situation we were praying about.
Knowing someone is praying with me, even when that person is far away, means I am not alone. Jesus knew this well. He asked the disciples to “watch” with him and to pray that they might have strength to move through the events to come. (See Mark 14:38.) I believe that he could sense their prayers and could also sense when they stopped praying.
When we commit to pray for someone or about something, we make an important promise. Following through on our commitment gives others gentle, flowing support that is “powerful and effective.”
Barbara Chalfant (Pennsylvania, USA)
Prayer: Loving and responsive God, help us to tell others when we are praying for them, and then remind us of our commitments. Amen.
Thought for the day: Praying with others is a reminder that none of us is ever alone.
Prayer Focus: Those who pray with me
SEVERAL times I have been invited to share in an unusual form of group prayer. Group members commit to pray daily at particular times for one specific thing. Those who pray can be in one town or spread across the country. What binds us together is the commitment to pray as one voice, at that time. I have prayed
with others about a serious career dilemma, cancer, and various national crises. Every time, I was amazed by the sense of community I felt in prayer and the power for change and healing that came to whatever situation we were praying about.Knowing someone is praying with me, even when that person is far away, means I am not alone. Jesus knew this well. He asked the disciples to “watch” with him and to pray that they might have strength to move through the events to come. (See Mark 14:38.) I believe that he could sense their prayers and could also sense when they stopped praying.
When we commit to pray for someone or about something, we make an important promise. Following through on our commitment gives others gentle, flowing support that is “powerful and effective.”
Barbara Chalfant (Pennsylvania, USA)
Prayer: Loving and responsive God, help us to tell others when we are praying for them, and then remind us of our commitments. Amen.
Thought for the day: Praying with others is a reminder that none of us is ever alone.
Prayer Focus: Those who pray with me
0 komentar:
Post a Comment